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I wrote out a VERY long rely, but it appears GC/my phone/internet goblins ate it. Instead, I will PM you later with most of what I wrote. Here it is in a nutshell:
I am usually very clueless at figuring out schools and chapters, but I think I know this one. If I am correct, right now I just want to jump through the screen and give you a big hug. And another. Then, I want to sit with you in the sunshine and let you just pour out your heart. Talking, sunshine and sweet tea has helped heal many a wound.
However, I understand that right now you aren't wanting to just talk, you want action. Emotions are running high, you feel for your sisters and you are really concerned for the future of your local charitable organization. If you are who I think you are, you are a leading woman who has a heart for service. To borrow a southern phrase, "you've been cut from some good cloth."
Here is my advice to you right now. Breathe. Just breathe. It may seem like NOW is the time to jump to action as you have support across the campus and within your sisterhood.
However, emotions--and the support that come with them--are fleeting. Most local sororities are groups of 25-50 women. They don't have houses. If you created anything similar to what you are currently in, you are talking about running a small corporation. You need a legal team of professionals, insurance, financial advisors, a billing system, a standards committee to insure legal compliance, advisors, a separate board to operate your facility (if you have one) and we haven't even addressed the organization within the chapter. My head just hurts thinking about all of this.
You are in a unique situation. You have had leadership training. You have a network of sisters. You have drive and you have support. Sisterhood is a connection of the heart. It goes far beyond buildings and organizations. So, take that and address your biggest concern--funding your local charitable organization.
You don't have to do it the way you have in the past. Gather some girls together, get with the organization and create a task force where you can dream up new ways to fund. The strongest charitable organizations have a wide network of support. The idea is to create a huge following of raving fans who spread your message. That way when one supporter drops out, there are others to immediately take their place. When people feel they have a level of ownership or connection to a charitable group, a loyalty in giving is established. Instead of the group relying upon your one fall event for funding, perhaps y'all can figure out a way to broaden their support base. The event, if I am assuming this correctly, that you have coming up will KILL it this year. Perhaps you even figure out ways to allow for giving during the event as a way of giving more than ever this year so the organization can bridge some funding gaps that may occur in the future.
You don't have to create anything new to get some sisters together to figure out ways to fund your charitable organization. It is a natural outgrowth of a system you already have in place--even if you don't have mandatory weekly chapter meetings.
Right now you need to navigate around a few huge traps:
1. Thinking that the current support you have on campus will last forever. Emotions are fleeting and people have very short memories. Capitalize upon it for your current event, but don't assume that same level of support will be there in the future.
2. Don't become bitter. None of us--including yourself--know the full story or have a birds eye view of the situation. Here is an alternative way of looking at your narrative: You've been given a unique gift. You can have sisterhood without the pressure. You don't have to fight for rank in a system. You don't have to go through recruitment where others define your "success." You don't have financial obligations. Give things some time. There may be some benefits of being an unaffiliated sister. Work with your nationals to come up with some ideas of how to preserve sisterhood. You may not believe this right now, but I bet they really love you and want the very best for you. Within the alumnae realm, they have official alumnae groups as well as more loosely connected alumnae circles. I am assuming liability is the biggest issue regarding "official" events, but perhaps together y'all can figure out a way to serve the current sisters and turn some of the pain into joy. Give it some time.
If I am assuming right, you are a part of a long legacy of leading women. Embrace that--and the support around you from sisters, alumnae and the campus in general--and figure out ways to fund your charitable organization. You don't have to create anything new to do this. If your concern is for future students to have a place to belong, that is a noble thought. Wait a bit on that one. Allow you and your sisters to heal first. Bolster up your charitable organization. You may find that something (service organization) naturally develops through that, but don't let that be your focus.
Once again, I want to give you a huge hug and tell you that it will be ok. It really will. You and your sisters are amazing girls. Celebrate your friendships and don't break connections. Watch some football together. Go to class. Laugh. Just enjoy being a student for a bit and your heart will heal. You've got this, girl!
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